Examining the relationship between law, political culture and information control, this work combines a technical knowledge of English law, a detailed account of the history of political secrecy in Britain and an informed acquaintance with the shady detail of political and administrative practice.

This new edition examines the effect of the Data Protection Act 1998, the Public Disclosures Act 1998, EU legislative developments on access to information and the Human Rights Act 1998, as well as the legislative and administrative changes introduced by the Labour Government.